Dr. Matthew Samore, M.D.

Professor, Division of Clinical Epidemiology

Title: INTERMOUNTAIN CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR INFECTION PREVENTION STRATEGIES - CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

We propose to establish a CDC-funded Epi-Center for Prevention of Healthcare-associated Infection called the Intermountain Center of Excellence for Infection Prevention Strategies (INTERCEPT). The overarching objective of the Center is to conduct research and lead programs that reduce the burden of healthcare-related infections and other types of adverse events. The Center’s underlying theme is the transformation of the practice of infection control and healthcare epidemiology through effective use of health information technology. Our premise is that real-time surveillance and computerized decision support, when implemented within a framework of system change, can drive improved prevention and management of healthcare-related infections. The Center brings together notable strengths in infection control, patient safety, medical informatics, quality improvement, infectious disease epidemiology, behavioral sciences, and public health. The healthcare and academic institution that comprise the Center are internationally recognized for their leadership in these areas. Projects which have been developed to bridge distinct clinical entities will demonstrate the generalizability of the evaluated strategies, not just within Utah, but across other geographic regions. One major research focus of the Center is the problem of antimicrobial resistance. Another priority is surveillance and prevention of infectious and non-infectious adverse events associated with medical devices. Two categories of projects are described in this proposal, “multi-facility research” and “multi-facility collaboration”. Multi-facility research projects are fully developed studies designed to evaluate an intervention strategy or validate a surveillance method. Multi-facility collaborations are inter-institutional projects aimed to dismantle the barriers that inhibit sharing of knowledge, data, and tools across healthcare systems and between healthcare systems and governmental agencies.

Our target audience includes infection control practitioners, healthcare epidemiologists, clinicians, public health personnel, hospital administrators, and chief financial officers of healthcare institutions. Our ultimate aim is to serve as a powerful instrument of change toward safer, more efficient, and effective delivery of care. Substantially improved patient outcomes through prevention of healthcare-associated infections and other types of adverse events is a reachable goal.

Principal Investigator:

• Matthew Samore
Matthew.Samore@hsc.utah.edu

Project Manager:

• Amyanne Wuthrich-Reggio
Amyanne.Wuthrich-Reggio@hsc.utah.edu

Administration:

      • Pablo Garcia
         Pablo.Garcia@hsc.utah.edu
      • Nefi Aguilar
         Nefi.aguilar@hsc.utah.edu

Subcontracts:

• Intermountain Healthcare - Scott Evans, Ph.D.